FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Week 12 Injury Update #1 Philip Gentles
November 21, 2006

Isaac Bruce, WR, STL
Blurred Vision

Huddle Up: Rams' WR Isaac Bruce, who missed a couple of series in the second half of Sunday's game after complaining of blurred vision, underwent a series of eye exams on Monday and according reports everything checked out OK. The team did not say how Bruce was hurt but he was having a hard time seeing out of one of his eyes in the third quarter and it lead to several dropped passes. But it looks like everything is fine.

Marques Colston, WR, NO
High Ankle Sprain

Huddle Up: Saints' rookie WR Marques Colston has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and his status for Week 12 remains uncertain. Colston was injured when he tried to block during a running play in the first quarter of Sunday's game. While making the block several players fell into him from behind turning his ankle and leg. He left the game and did not return. According to reports X-rays came back negative and an MRI did not reveal any significant structural damage. However Colston will probably be held out of practice until at least Friday. This could come down to a game-time decision so don't be surprised if we don't get a definitive word on his status until next Sunday.

Brett Favre, QB, GB
Bruised Ulnar Nerve

Huddle Up: Packers' veteran QB Brett Favre has regained nearly all of the feeling and strength in his hand and forearm a day after suffering a bruise to the ulnar nerve in his right elbow. Favre was hurt when he was sacked late in the second quarter. According to reports Favre had a hard time gripping the ball with his right hand and medical staff determined that he didn't have enough strength in his hand and arm to return to the game. Head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media on Monday and said that Favre was feeling a lot better. The medical staff indicated that they will likely keep him out of practice until Friday but they are optimistic that he will be cleared to play next Monday night against the Seahawks. Ingle Martin, who has replaced the injured Aaron Rodgers as the team's #2 QB, will take snaps with the first team while Favre is out.

DeShaun Foster, RB, CAR
Hyperextended Elbow

Huddle Up: X-rays on RB DeShaun Foster's injured elbow came back negative, but the results of the MRI have not been released and head coach John Fox told reporters that he won't have an update on his status until Wednesday. Foster hyperextended his elbow after falling awkwardly on his arm at the end of a 2-yard run in the second quarter during Sunday's game against the Rams. He was examined by the medical staff on the sideline and he was eventually taken to the locker room for further evaluation. Foster spoke with the media on Monday and said that he could have returned in the second half but with the Panthers in command of the game and rookie DeAngelo Williams running well there was no need for him to risk additional injury. It looks like we are going to have to wait until Wednesday for an update.

Andre Johnson, WR, HOU
Quadriceps Contusion

Huddle Up: According to reports Texans' WR Andre Johnson limped off the field after suffering a quadriceps contusion in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. However the injury isn't considered serious and the team expects him to play in their next game. Johnson was hurt while attempting to catch a deep pass late in the game. The play was broken up and he was seen favoring his leg as he came off the field. Thigh bruises can be painful and can limit mobility so this is something to keep an eye on. But if these early reports are correct he should be ready to play next weekend against the Jets.

Kevin Jones, RB, DET
Sprained Ankle

Huddle Up: The status of Lions' RB Kevin Jones for Thursday's game appears to be in doubt after suffering a sprained ankle in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. Jones tripped and turned his ankle at the end of a first-half run and had to be helped off the field. He did not play in the second half and according to reports the injury could require at least a week of rest and treatment. Unfortunately this is a short week for the Lions and it doesn't look like he will be recovered in time to play against the Dolphins.

LaMont Jordan, RB, OAK
Torn MCL

Huddle Up: Raiders' RB LaMont Jordan is out at least one week and he will likely miss the remainder of the season after tearing the medical collateral ligament in his left knee during Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Jordan, who was hurt at the end of a long run late in the first quarter, was carted off the field and into the locker room where a preliminary exam revealed an injury to his MCL. And MRI performed on Monday confirmed that the ligament was torn but team physicians told Jordan that will not need surgery to repair the damage to his knee. He could still be sidelined anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks and with the Raiders out of playoff contention the medical staff will not feel the need to rush him back. Justin Fargas will take over as the featured back while Jordan is out.

Donovan McNabb, QB, PHI
Torn ACL and Meniscus

Huddle Up: The Eagles will be without Donovan McNabb for the remainder of the season after the QB tore the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage in his right knee during Sunday's game against the Titans. McNabb was hurt following an incomplete pass in the second quarter. He rolled out to the right and shortly after throwing the ball his knee appeared to buckle and he limped out of bounds. He immediately grabbed for his leg and had to be carted off the field. According to reports there is a lot of swelling in his knee and Dr. James Andrews will have to wait until the swelling subsides before he can repair the damage. He would like to take care of this as soon as possibly but he may have to wait up to 3 weeks before he can perform the surgery. The team expects him to be out 8 - 12 month, which means that there is a chance that he could be ready in time for training camp next year. That being said he won't be completely healthy for up to two years after the surgery so don't be surprised if he doesn't have a very productive 2007 season. Jeff Garcia will take over the Eagles' starting QB for the remainder of the year.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB
Fractured Foot

Huddle Up: Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers will miss the remainder of the 2006 season after an X-ray on Sunday night revealed a fracture to the base of fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The team did not know how the injury occurred however Rodgers was seen limping around in the locker room after the game and he told reporters on Monday that he thought he injured it in the third quarter. According to reports a screw will have to be inserted into his foot to help stabilize the injured area and he will probably undergo surgery sometime this week. If everything goes well he should be ready to take part in the Packers' off-season program.

Alex Smith, TE, TB
High Ankle Sprain

Huddle Up: Bucs' TE Alex Smith will likely miss the team's Week 12 game and he could be out for several weeks more after suffering a high ankle sprain during Sunday's game against the Redskins. After leaving the game Smith was taken to the locker room where X-rays and additional tests and exams were performed. The X-rays were negative but he was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and he was fitted for crutches and a protective boot. According to reports he underwent an MRI today and while the results have not been released it appears that the Bucs are preparing to play Week 12 without him.

Ben Troupe, TE, TEN
Sprained Ankle

Huddle Up: Titans' TE Ben Troupe suffered a sprained ankle during Sunday's game against the Eagles and according to reports he has been sent to an orthopedic specialist for a second opinion. Troupe was injured after catching a touchdown in the first half and after being examined on the sideline the medical staff decided to keep him out for the remainder of the day. Troupe had X-rays on his ankle following the game and underwent an MRI on Monday and while the results have not been released head coach Jeff Fisher called the injury "complicated" and he said that he would know about his status for Week 12 later on in the week.